Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson Signs With Baltimore Ravens Amid Defensive Injuries
Just when you thought the NFL’s carousel of chaos couldn’t get any wilder, C.J. Gardner-Johnson pulls another rabbit out of his hat. The famously outspoken safety, fresh off a blink-and-you-missed-it stint with the Houston Texans, is packing his bags for Baltimore. That’s right, Gardner-Johnson is signing with the Ravens’ practice squad, according to his agent and reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Will C.J. Gardner-Johnson Succeed In Baltimore?
Ravens signing DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson to practice squad. (via @tompelissero) pic.twitter.com/6YH5QmZBQy
— NFL (@NFL) October 7, 2025
Let’s be real, this move has more layers than a game-day dip. For the Ravens, it’s a low-risk, potentially high-reward gamble. Their secondary has been hit harder than a quarterback without a blindside tackle, and star Safety Kyle Hamilton is nursing a hamstring injury. They need a spark, a jolt of energy, and maybe a little bit of that trash-talking swagger Gardner-Johnson brings in spades. And the best part for Baltimore? The Texans are still footing the bill for his fully guaranteed 2025 salary. It’s like getting a top-tier rental car and having someone else pay for the gas.
For C.J. Gardner-Johnson, this is another chapter in what is becoming a journeyman’s epic. This is a guy who was a key piece of a Super Bowl-winning Eagles defense just a season ago, leading the league in interceptions and talking a big game to back it up. Then, a trade to Houston, a few games, some rumored locker-room drama, and poof—he was on the street.
Now, he lands on a practice squad. It is a humbling turn, but if anyone has the confidence to bounce back, it’s him. He once told a podcast the Eagles traded him because they were “scared of a competitor.” You can’t make this stuff up.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just a roster move; it’s a culture addition. Gardner-Johnson brings an edge, a certain kind of beautiful chaos that can either ignite a defense or blow up in your face. Will he be the fiery leader the beat-up Ravens need to get their season back on track, or will his outspoken nature create another short-lived tenure? Grab your popcorn, folks. The Gardner-Johnson show is back on the air, and Baltimore just became must-see TV.
